As the season goes on, its getting harder and harder to find players who can make or break your team, but there are certainly guys out there who can fill voids due to injury or poor early season performance. If you are looking for some help, here are some players that should be on your radar right now.

If Daniels is still available, maybe its time to get out of that Yahoo! public league and into more competitive one.

Antonio Daniels – Chances are this guys was picked up in your league immediately after Arenas was declared out for 3 months. If he’s available now, pick him up… and think about joining a more competitive league next year.

Juan Carlos Navarro – This 27 year-old rookie from Spain has started the last two games for the Grizzlies and averaged 22.0 pts, 4.0 ast, 2.5 reb, 3.0 3-pts, 1.0 stl and shot 17-26 from the field. If he stays in the starting lineup for Memphis, look for Navarro, the 2006 MVP of the Spanish league, to be a solid contributor of points and treys while shooting good percentages from the field and the line.

Andres Nocioni – According to ESPN, as of right now he is owned in only 75% of leagues. Over his last six games (the last five as a starter), Nocioni has averaged 17.7 pts, 6.5 reb and 2.0 3-pts. The Bulls are such a disaster right now, who knows how long he’ll be a starter or how many minutes any Chicago player can expect from here on out. But if “Chapu” is still available, I would grab him asap.

Luis Scola – The highly touted rookie from Argentina finally has been showing some signs of life recently. Over his last five games, Scola has had 20 points three times. On the flip side, he has a combined 5 points in the other two. Scola clearly has not fully adjusted to NBA ball, but he is getting closer. The Rockets need a third option to step up and Scola might be that guy. If he can find some consistency, look for some nice points, rebounds and FG% from the 27 year-old.

Brandon Bass – Keep your eye on Bass down in Dallas. He hasn’t been getting the consistent minutes all year long, but has played well when called upon. Bass has averaged 14 points and 6 rebounds over last last three.

Marco Jaric – Marco should see the bulk of playing time in Minnesota, with Sebastian Telfair as his main competition for minutes. In his last two games, the 29 year-old Jaric has averaged 17.0 pts, 6.0 ast, 2.5 reb, 1.5 stl, 2.0 blk and 1.0 3-pts.

NBA Fantasy Spin

Looking for some fantasy basketball help? Keep your eye on these youngsters…

Andray Blatche – The third year forward has seen his minutes increasing lately and last night responded with 26 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a block on 12-14 shooting. While he won’t score 26 every night, look for Blatche to score in double figures with great blocks and some rebounds coming off the bench.

Blatche scored a career higher 26 on Tuesday against the 76ers

Jordan Farmar – Farmar has been playing very well in limited minutes lately and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him eventually take over the starting PG spot for the Lakers. Over the past four games, the 20 year-old has averaged 12.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 4.0 ast, 2.3 3-pts and 2.5 stl while shooting 53%.

Louis Williams – Over the past two games, Williams has averaged 22.0 pts, 3.0 reb, 3.5 ast, 3.0 3-pts and 1.5 stl while shooting 69% from the field. Philly really doesn’t have any better options at SG as far as I can tell. Even when Kyle Korver comes back, if Williams continues his play, it will be impossible for the 76ers to keep him on the bench.

Shawne Williams – This second year forward out of Memphis has averaged 20.0 pts, 5.5 reb, 2.5 3-pts, 1.5 stl and 1.5 blk while hitting 15 of his 22 field goals over the past two games for the Pacers.

After a huge night in the NBA, its time to take another look at some potentially solid players who might be available in your fantasy basketball leagues. A lot of leagues are won and lost in these first few weeks of the season, when NBA teams start to set their rotations.

Matt Barnes – Don Nelson has been experimenting with different lineups in Golden St. Barnes, who was getting minimal playing earlier this season, has started the last two games and responded with 14.5 pts, 6.5 reb, 7 ast, 2.5 3-pts and even 1.5 blk. Its tough to say who is going to get the minutes for the high-scoring Warriors, especially with Stephen Jackson on his way back, but if its Barnes, expect him to put up solid numbers.

Andrew Bogut – Outside of Michael Redd, there are not many offensive options in Milwaukee. Though I am no fan of the former number one pick, Bogut does have legit double-double potential to go along with a great FG%. If he can keep up his current pace of blocks (1.5/gm), he will become a valuable fantasy asset. On Wednesday, Bogut went off for 23 pts, 12 boards and 4 blocks.

Al Horford – Its doubtful Horford is still available in your league, but if he is and you need rebounds, grab him. The rookie out of Florida is averaging 8.9 pts, 10.9 reb, 1.8 blk, 1.3 stl and only looks to get better as the season goes along.

Troy Murphy – Murphy, who came back from a sore Achilles’ to score 20 off the bench for the Pacers on Friday, is averaging 14 pts in just 24 minutes so far this year. If he keeps up his good play, expect him to see him get more playing time. If he can get some minutes and shake the nagging injury, Murphy can give your team help in points, rebounds and some threes while shooting respectable percentages from the field and the line.

Jamario Moon – Since being inserted in the starting lineup for the Raps three games ago, the 27-year old rookie Moon has averaged 10.3 pts, 5.3 reb, 1.7 stl, 1.0 blk and 1.0 3-pts while shooting 52% from the field. Definitely worth a look now in deep 12 team leagues, Moon is a player to keep on your radar over the next few weeks.

Sean Williams – This athletic freak has blocked 3+ shots in all 4 games in which he has logged over 15 minutes of play, including his last three straight. Per minute, Williams’ numbers are outstanding. He is averaging 7.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.5 blk while shooting 67% from the field in under 17 minutes per game. Look for his minutes and numbers to rise dramatically as he is too good for the Nets to keep on the bench, particularly with Vince out indefinitely.

Antoine Walker – Could it be time for ‘the wiggle’ to make its debut in Minneapolis? Don’t look now, but ‘Toine has been first off the bench for Minnesota the past two games, averaging 16.5 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.5 3-pts, and 2.5 stl. The T-Wolves are a terrible team and Walker might have just enough left in the tank to put up some good numbers in this situation. Of course, low shooting percentages are always a factor with Walker, so keep that in mind before you decide to pick him up.

Beno Udrih – Udrih, who has started the last two games at PG for Sacramento, is averaging 12.3 pts, 3.3 reb, 3.0 ast, 1.3 3-pts and 1.7 stl in four games so far this season. He didn’t get into a game until Nov 10, but now that he has, he seems to be playing a major role for the Kings.

Isiah Thomas’ Top 10 Worst Moments on the Knicks

Another basketball season… more negative press for everyone’s least favorite former superstar, Isiah Thomas. If this offseason’s sexual harassment trial wasn’t enough, Zeke was all over the media again this week, his latest episode a public feud with PG Stephon Marbury. It’s absolutely astonishing that Thomas still has a job in the NBA at this point. This guy has to be the most incompetent GM in the history of professional sports, possibly in the history of all business.

Today, I am going to break down Isiah’s ten worst trades, signings, lawsuits, feuds, etc. over his almost four year reign of terror as GM of the Knicks. Since I don’t have all day, we will not be discussing his previous mistakes and failures, which include: the jealous “freezeout” of then-rookie Michael Jordan in 1985 all-star game; remarking that “If Larry Bird were black, he’d be just another good guy”; the classless walkoff after being swept in the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals; his ineptitude at both Toronto and Indiana; his running the CBA into bankruptcy causing the league to fold; and the embarrassment that was his short-lived career as an NBA broadcaster.

Anyway, on to the list…

10. Oct. 31, 2006 – Jalen Rose Waived

Isiah trades for a washed up Jalen Rose and his monster contract only to cut Rose eight months later to save a mere $3 million of Jalen’s $16.9 salary. Rose’s expiring contract would have been an attractive trade chip if Isiah just held onto him for three more months. Just a totally illogical sequence of events.

9. Oct. 4, 2005 – Eddy Curry Trade

Isiah trades for Eddy Curry, a one dimensional overweight player with a heart condition, and gives up 2006 first round pick and the right to switch picks in the loaded 2007 draft. Chicago ends up with the #2 pick in the 2006 draft and the #9 pick in 2007.

8. Jun. 23, 2006 – Larry Brown Fired

Hall of Fame head coach Brown reached rock bottom in New York under Isiah Thomas. In typical Isiah fashion, the Knicks disastrous season played out like a soap opera in the media, culminating in Brown’s firing. The Knicks, with the highest payroll in the history of the NBA, finished with 24 wins and the second worst record in the league.

7. Aug. 6, 2004 – Jamal Crawford Trade

Isiah trades four expiring contracts for Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams. Crawford and Williams had a combined $81 million remaining on their contracts while the four expiring contracts provided the Bulls with over $18 million in cap relief.

6. Jan. 6, 2004 – Stephon Marbury/Penny Hardaway Trade

In what would set the tone for his tenure, Isiah trades Antonio McDyess, 2 first round picks, cash and some players (to make the trade work under the cap) to the Suns for Stephon Marbury, Penny Hardaway and their bloated contracts. Phoenix becomes the third team to trade Starbury and the third team to make a dramatic improvement in the year after he leaves the team. Of course, with Isiah in control, Starbury is still in NY and he is still an albatross around the neck of the Knicks organization.

5. Feb. 22, 2006 – Steve Francis Trade

Two years after trading for Penny Hardaway, Isiah decided to trade his (now valuable) expiring contract for another past his prime oft-injured guard with a HUGE contract in Steve Francis. Isiah takes on another bloated contract and provides major cap relief for another franchise, this time the Magic. Isiah’s laughable backcourt now includes three shoot-first PGs in Francis, Marbury and Nate Robinson, in addition to SG Jamal Crawford. At time of the trade, the Knicks had the following salaries on their books for 2006-2007: Allen Houston (retired): $20M, Marbury: $18M, Jalen Rose: $16M, Francis: $15M and Crawford: $7M. Wow, that is an expensive backcourt for 33 wins!

4. Dec. 16, 2006 – Knicks-Nuggets Brawl

What now seems forgotten about last seasons’ Nuggets-Knicks brawl that got numerous players suspended, including Carmelo Anthony for 15 games, is that Isiah Thomas threatened Anthony just prior to the fight. Isiah warned ‘Melo “not to go near the basket” right before Knick Mardy Collins clotheslined JR Smith, setting off the fight.

3. Jul. 14, 2005 – Jerome James Signs

After two weeks of spirited play in the 04-05 playoffs for Seattle, Jerome James signed a 5-year, $30 million contract with Isiah and the Knicks. James has averaged 3.0 points and 1.9 points over the past two years, respectively.

2. Oct. 2, 2007 – Anucha Browne Sanders Trial

A jury found that Isiah had sexually harassed Browne Sanders, “Subjecting her to unwanted advances and a barrage of verbal insults”. Due to Isiah’s inappropriate actions, the Knicks and owner James Dolan were forced to pay Browne-Sanders $11.6 million in damages. Anyone who followed the trial got a glimpse at just what kind of guy Isiah is. One minute he is professing his love for her and inappropriately touching her, the next he is calling her a ‘Bitch’ and a ‘Ho’ and threatening to start rumors of an affair if she doesn’t keep her mouth shut.

Now that we are a couple weeks into the season, its a good time to take a look at some potentially solid players who might be available in your league(s).

JR Smith – Denver’s up tempo system is going to lead to a lot scoring. Carmelo and Iverson are obviously going to get the bulk of it, but Denver needs a third scorer to step up. With JR out suspended, Linas Kleiza was that third option. But no that Smith is back, it looks like the Nuggets are going to be giving more minutes to Smith and less to Kleiza and Yakhouba Diawara. The first sign of life for Smith was 29 points, 7 3-Pts, 4 ast, 4 stl on 10-13 shooting against the Cavs on Monday night.

Kelenna Azubuike – If he’s still available, grab him up. Azubuike is averaging 18.8 pts, 1.4 3-pts, 5.2 reb on 53% shooting. Even with Stephen Jackson coming back, Azubuike should still get minutes and looks.

Antoine Wright – This sparkplug off the bench got his first start of the season on Monday night, with Vince Carter out indefinitely with a grade-one ankle sprain. Wright is a great play until at least Vince comes back. I actually like Wright a lot as a player and wouldn’t be surprised to see him take a bigger role on the Nets even after Carter returns.

Ronnie Brewer – The second-year Brewer, locked in as the starting SG for the Jazz, is averaging 15.0 pts and an amazing 3.0 stl on 58% shooting in the first 8 games of the season. If he is still available in your league, grad him immediately. While he probably won’t average 3 steals all year long, he should be up near the league leaders in this category while also providing nice points and threes with a decent FG% for a guard.

Jarrett Jack – Had an awful start to the season and was benched last week. In the three games since the demotion, Jack has averaged 16.7 pts, 4.3 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl on 55% shooting. Jack, who just turned 24, was on a good career projection heading into this year and I believe his numbers will end up closer to his recent form rather than his struggles of the first three games.

Rashad McCants – McCants, only 23, looks to be the number two option (after Al Jefferson) on a very poor Timberwolves team. He is instant offense, averaging 15 points in only 22 minutes so far this year. He won’t fill up all categories, but he should provide some help in points and threes. Also keep your eye on T-Wolves rookie Corey Brewer, who does have the potential to fill up all fantasy categories.

Mike Conley, Jr. – If you’re in a deep league or looking for some long term help, Conley might be worth a flyer. Junior has received increased playing time over the past three games and it wouldn’t surprise me to see that trend continue. Neither Damon Stoudamire nor Kyle Lowry is the long term answer at PG for the Grizzlies so why not just throw Conley to the fire now? Once he start getting minutes, look for him to help with assists and steals in addition to some points and threes.